MPs Question Natembeya Over Sh22 Million Revenue Leak, Direct Fresh EACC Probe

Members of Parliament have ordered the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s administration over suspected revenue leakage amounting to Sh22 million.

The directive was issued by the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) after it emerged that the county’s own-source revenue fell short in the 2024/25 financial year, despite Trans Nzoia’s potential to generate at least Sh2.5 billion annually, excluding health facility collections.

Appearing before the committee, Governor Natembeya admitted the county had underperformed, blaming the shortfall on the rollout of a new revenue collection system.

“The under collection was due to the introduction of the new revenue collection system,” Natembeya said.

But the committee rejected the explanation, accusing the governor of evasion. Legislators pressed him to account for the missing millions, pointing to widespread suspicions of corruption in the revenue department.

“There is a huge possibility that my revenue officers were collecting money and pocketing it. The revenue department is one of the most attractive postings for county staff. Everyone wants to work in the revenue department, including the revenue officers,” Natembeya conceded under questioning.

CPAC chair, Senator Moses Kajwang, said the committee was not satisfied with the governor’s defence and directed that the EACC step in immediately.

“EACC must conduct an intervention to determine whether the revenue was collected. If it was collected, where the money ended up,” Kajwang ordered.

The committee also asked the Office of the Auditor General to write to the vendor behind the new system, warning that if they were found to have abetted fraud, they risked being blacklisted.

“If they are found culpable, then a recommendation for their debarment should be explored,” Kajwang noted, adding that revenue technology vendors have in the past enabled financial mismanagement in counties.

In addition, CPAC instructed Governor Natembeya to take disciplinary action against county revenue officers implicated in the suspected loss.

The grilling underscores rising parliamentary scrutiny of county finances, with senators insisting that governors bear personal responsibility for leakage and mismanagement in devolved units.